LETTERS FROM A DESPERATE DOG

Age Range: 5 - 8

Pub Date: Oct. 16th, 2006ISBN: 0-618-51003-6Publisher: Clarion

Emma is a dog who lives with George the painter and his cat, and though she tries her best to please him, things sometimes go wrong. After sleeping on the new couch and upsetting the trash, she is sent outside, but when she commiserates with her canine neighbor, George takes issue with her barking. That’s when Emma picks up an issue of The Weekly Bone and emails Queenie, the advice columnist, about her troubles. Queenie first suggests showing George affection, but Emma’s efforts result in a ruined painting. Next Queenie mentions that Emma should keep an eye on things, but this leads to a mess when Emma tries to catch a mouse. Queenie’s last suggestion is that Emma find a job, and when she successfully lands a role in a play, she ends up on tour. Has George missed her? Emma hopes he has…. Readers will cheer for this well-intentioned heroine and applaud her eventual success. Christelow’s bright watercolors follow Emma’s adventures in comic panels and perfectly depict the satisfying ending. (Picture book. 5-8)